Suggestions for Implementing the Bible Challenge Program
I.
Promotional service.
1. The pastor introduces this program with a lesson on the importance of personal study of the
Bible. Some outline notes from a PowerPoint presentation are in Appendix A.
2. Explain the Bible Challenge Program
a. Take a New Testament test.
b. Read the New Testament through in a year and answer the study questions.
c. (Optional) Each week the pastor or someone in the local church teaches about something
from the assigned reading
d. At the end of the year take the test again or a similar one to see how much you have
learned
3. The pastor might need to explain the advantages of this program compared to the BREAD
program. See Appendix B.
4. Distribute the New Testament Reading Schedule
A printed Reading schedule and a New Testament exam are enclosed. These are on the
website but not formatted so it is better to have a printed formatted copy. Permission is
granted to make as many copies as needed.
5. Give the entire church a New Testament exam.
To avoid embarrassing anyone, it is suggested that each person just put the church name on
the exam but not their name. After taking the exam, which is only 25 questions (so it does not
take too long), the pastor reviews the test by giving the answers. Then the exams are
collected and later tallied for the pastor.
6. Make the printed copies of the Study Guides available as well as announcing the website
www.DoingGood.org.
Whereas the Study questions are free on the website, there was a considerable cost to assemble
these into printed booklets. Some people are not on the Internet and others prefer to write the
answers in the Study guides with a pen or pencil. Others like to copy the questions from the
website, then paste into a Word document and type the answers directly on the computer. The
charge for an individual set of six booklets (228 pages) is $30.00 plus 10% for shipping and
handling. If a church buys ten sets, the price is $20.00 per set plus S & H. If one orders in
quantities of twenty sets or more, no S & H will be charged.
II. Each day during the year.
Each person doing the Challenge reads the daily Bible reading first and then tries to answer the
questions. If they are unable to answer a question, the verse(s) where the answer is found is in
the parenthesis after the question. This is true for the readings from Acts through Revelation. For
example, in the May 12 reading in Acts chapter 10, question 13 is "How did Peter and the Jews
who were with him know that the household of Cornelius received the Holy Ghost? (44-46)" If
they do not know the answer they should read Acts 10:44-46 again to find the answer. People
learn more if they dig out the answers themselves.
For the Gospels it is a little more difficult since the answer may possibly be found in all four of
the gospels.
III. Each week
Hopefully, each week the pastor or Bible teacher will either preach from or teach something that
is from the passage that they are reading. This will keep the momentum going through the year.
You will note that there are also periodic quizzes on the www.DoingGood.org for the readings.
The printed version of the New Testament Study Guide consists of six booklets. The first one is
the Gospels which is January thru April, the second one is Acts which is for May, The third is
Romans—2 Corinthians for June, July and part of August, the fourth is Galatians—2
Thessalonians for part of August and part of September, the fifth is 1 Timothy—Hebrews for
part of September and October, and the sixth is the General Epistles and Revelation for
November and December. Thus, there are some intermediate dates for recognition and
celebration.
IV. At the end of the year there is an exam B to give. You will see it is very similar but has
different questions. Hopefully, it is equivalent in difficulty.
Perhaps all those who complete the program could be recognized and also the average score for
both the beginning of the year and end of the year given. Also, some testimonies could be given
of how the program has helped them.
Appendix A - The Importance of Personal Study of The Bible.
Some Scriptures are as follows:
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (1 Tim 4:13 NKJV)
(Rev 1:3 NKJV) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Nourishment - (Mat 4:4 NKJV) "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
(Psa 18:30 NKJV) The word of the LORD is Proven
(Psa 33:4 NKJV) For the word of the LORD is Right
(John 17:17 NKJV) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is Truth"
(Psa 119:160 NKJV) The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous
judgments endures forever.
(Prov 30:5 NKJV) Every word of God is Pure
Psalm 19:7- 11 (text omitted to save space)
Method of Creation - By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them
by the breath of His mouth. (Psa 33:6 NKJV)
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God… (Heb 11:3 NKJV)
Sure Foundation - Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven (Psa 119:89 NKJV)
Direction - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psa 119:105 NKJV)
Source of Faith - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17
NKJV)
Joy - And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your
name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jer 15:16 NKJV)
Top Priority Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we
should leave the word of God and serve tables. (Acts 6:2 NKJV)
"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4
NKJV)
Resistance to Sin - Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (Psa
119:11 NKJV)
Weapon in the Armor of God - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God; (Eph 6:17 NKJV)
Cleansing - How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
(Psa 119:9 NKJV)
Sole Authority - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things
were so. (Acts 17:11 NKJV)
Means of Salvation - Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive
with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21 NKJV)
Hunger For the Word of God - as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may
grow thereby, (1 Pet 2:2 NKJV)
Grow Up - … grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be
the glory both now and forever. (2 Pet 3:18 NKJV)
Appendix B - Advantages of The Bible Challenge Program
1. It would give some variety to those who have participated for years in the BREAD program.
2. It will aid in comprehending the Scriptures. Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what
he was reading. He replied “How can I, except some man should guide me?”
3. The Study questions will help the reader think about what has been read.
4. Periodic quizzes will help determine how much has been learned.
5. This program requires reading less than one chapter a day on an average.
6. The Gospels are arranged in “Harmony of the Gospels" order where the events of the
Gospels are arranged in chronological order and all the references regarding a particular
event or topic are arranged together.
7. This Bible Challenge can be used for family devotions, with the questions as a springboard
for discussion.